Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - There's always so much going on in Puerto Vallarta and around the Republic, it can be difficult to keep up with it all. Here's a look at some of this week's Mexico and Puerto Vallarta news headlines plus a couple of Easter weekend events in PV around Banderas Bay that you won't want to miss.

Observation of the International Space Station

The International Space Station (ISS) can easily be spotted with the naked eye. Because of its size (110m x 100m x 30m), it reflects a large amount of sunlight. The best time to observe the ISS is when it is nighttime at your location, and the Space Station is sunlit. Often, such a viewing situation occurs in the morning before sunrise, or in the evening after sunset. On Monday, March 28 beginning in the south west at 7:40 pm the international space station will be flying over Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and will be visible for 6 and a half minutes flying toward the NE. It will be almost directly overhead near 7:43. This is one of the best evening displays in the next two weeks. For early risers another great opportunity is on March 27 beginning in the north (heading south) at 6:30 am and again lasting 6 and a half minutes. In this photo, the grey circle indicates the area where the Space Station is at least 10° above the horizon. The red line shows where the ISS is sunlit and visible. On the blue line the ISS is in the Earth's shadow and invisible or it is less than 10° above the horizon or the sky is not dark enough to see the ISS. Learn more at iss.astroviewer.net.

Former Mexican Foreign Minister Fernando Solana Dies at 85

Fernando Solana, who served as Mexico's foreign minister while the North American Free Trade Agreement was negotiated and signed, died Wednesday at age 85. Mexico's current foreign minister, Claudia Ruiz Massieu, expressed her condolences through her official Twitter account. Don Fernando Solana served as the Secretary of Commerce (1996-77), of Education (1977-82), and of Foreign Affairs (1988-93) of Mexico. During that time, he ran Banamex from 1982-1988. Shortly after, he became a Senator of the Republic, presiding over the Foreign Affairs Committee and was part of the Finance and Commerce Committee (1994-2000). Later, he was announced as the President of the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations. Most recently, Don Fernando was the President of Solana Consultores, as well as the Mexican Education and Development Fund. Additionally, he was a partner of Analítica Consultores Asociados.

New Whale Sculpture by Octavio González in Marina Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta Mayor, Arturo Dávalos, recently attended the inauguration of the new whale sculpture created by Octavio González that was installed across from Nima Bay in Marina Vallarta. Renowned local sculptor Octavio Gonzalez is the creator of several iconic art works in the Banderas Bay area, including the bronze statue of Lorena Ochoa on the Malecón extension, the bronze replica of actor Danny Devito and Mexican composer Armando Manzanero at the cruise ship port; "El Buzo" in Bucerias, and his best known bronze monument, "Ballena de Vallarta" (Vallarta's Whale) at the entrance of Marina Vallarta. "With this second whale sculpture we intend to move forward until we have the world's largest bronze whale sculpture collection in the world, with more of them installed along Paseo de la Marina, from Tres Mares Condominiums to Bay View Grand," the Mayor said. Other city dignitaries were present at the new sculpture's inauguration, including the president of the Marina Vallarta Residents Association, Enrique Camargo, who reported that new lighting fixtures have been installed along the boardwalk to enhance foot traffic in this popular neighborhood at night.

More Than 30k Tickets Sold for Mexico Game at Georgia Dome

The opponent had yet to be determined when it was announced in February that "El Tri" was returning to the Georgia Dome, but now more than 30,000 tickets have been sold for Mexico's exhibition game against Paraguay on May 28. The last time Mexico played in Atlanta was for the 2015 Gold Cup and it set a record for soccer ticket sales in Atlanta with more than 70,000 sold or distributed. This will be the sixth game Mexico will play in Atlanta since 2009. It will also be the last because the Georgia Dome is scheduled to be demolished next year and replaced with Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which will also be the home for MLS side Atlanta United. The exhibition will serve as one of two warm-up games for Mexico ahead of the Copa America Centenario. It will also be a warm-up for Paraguay. Mexico is ranked No. 22 in FIFA's world rankings while Paraguay, a two-time Copa America champ, is ranked No. 43. Because the Copa America Centenario starts June 3, both squads should be strong for the game at the Dome. Tickets went on sale March 15 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.

Weekend Events in Puerto Vallarta and Around Banderas Bay
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• Santa Fest 2016 at Los Arcos del Malecón

• Last Chance to See Some of the Season's Hottest Shows

• 1st Annual Chicos Yelapa SUP & Volleyball Tournament